Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police believe an in a single day fire in Wyoming that broken a constructing being renovated to accommodate a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a hearth early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen operating away from the building carrying what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the building under renovation to accommodate the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state the place opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally planned to provide other health care services for girls, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for girls to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who known as authorities earlier than daybreak saw someone operating from the building with what appeared to be a fuel can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb post. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police stated. No accidents had been reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, said clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The constructing had video cameras that have been functioning, and police were given access to them, she said.

“Whether you’re against abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said Burkhart, a former affiliate of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion supplier who was shot and killed in a Wichita, Kansas, church in 2009.

Protests have been held this spring by abortion opponents at the future clinic website, and indicators opposing abortion have been seen Wednesday in a window of an house subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that might instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will happen quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the road where the small constructing is situated as officers investigated. Several of the building's home windows had been broken, and smoke injury was seen round one shattered window.